Northern Holland and Friesland, MS Serena

Ijsselmeer & North Sea Beaches

Cycle in northern Holland tracing folklore and tradition in this flat area along the northern sea and in romantic harbours. You cycle through former lakes and marsh which was dried up in the 17th century with wind mills.

The peninsula between the North Sea and IJsselmeer, where Texel island is located is characterised by water, banks and dunes, nature reserves, bloomy meadows, grassland and numerous picturesque cities. And if you do not want to cycle you can stay on board and enjoy the passing landscape.

Province Northern Holland

Surrounded by water – the Dutch province northern Holland is located on an island in-between the North Sea, the Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer. North Holland's rich history can still be seen nowadays in many places. Picturesque cities are telling stories from a time where IJsselmeer was named Zuiderzee and had an open access to the North Sea.

A visit to the Zuiderzee museum in Enkhuizen brings the olden days back to life again. Northern Holland also has a unique flora and fauna. You cycle through former lakes and marsh, which was dried up in the 17th century with wind mills. A diversified, typical Dutch landscape is awaiting you, dunes and North Sea beaches, the North Sea, Texel island and many picturesque harbour cities at Ijsselmeer.

Casual Cyclist

Itinerary

Individual arrival to Amsterdam. Check-in on board in the afternoon. Maybe you will take some time for exploring the city of Amsterdam. At 6pm the MS SERENA will leave Amsterdam for the harbour town of Hoorn

Hoorn is an ancient city in which you can still find many buildings dating back to the 17th century (e.g. the Regentur of Westfriesland – today a museum, the town’s scales at the Rodesteen, the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai). Today you are cycling from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. Tip: you should visit the Zuiderzeemuseum.

Today you have a boat ride across the IJsselmeer to Lemmer. You are starting your round trip by bike: over the Oosterzee Buren to the Tjeukemeer, further to Munnekeburen, then around the Rottige Meente over Scherpenzel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer with its historical old part of town and beautiful gable houses.

Tip: Optional visit to the largest still-functioning steam pumping station in the world, “Woudagemaal”.

You will cycle to Sondeler Leien Lake. From there you go through the Rijsterbos woods past the Mokkebank (a bird reserve) to the Roode Klif at Stavoren. From there you cruise to Oudeschild on Texel island.

You are going on a round trip by bike on the biggest North Sea Island of the Netherlands – Texel. There are numerous routes you can choose between. Tip: We also recommend that you visit the beer brewery of Texel. At about 6 pm you take the boat back to Den Helder.

Cycling: Den Helder – Alkmaar | Boat: you can get on and off at Sint Maartensvlotbrug

In the morning you cycle through the dunes to Alkmaar. It is possible for you to go on board the MS SERENA in St. Maartensvlotburg and cruise the rest of the way to Alkmaar. As an alternative, you can also start your bike tour in St. Maartensvlotburg.

In the morning you have the opportunity to visit the cheese market in Alkmaar (ca. Apr. to Sept). At midday we are shipping to Wormerveer from where you are cycling to the open air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc.). You are cycling through the recreational area Twiske to Amsterdam. Tip: In the evening you have the opportunity to take part in a “Grachtenrundfahrt” (a cruise on the canals in Amsterdam on small boats)

Car park Amsterpark.nl /Valet Parking Services: Drop off your car at the pier on the day you arrive. Car will be back at the pier on day of departure, price €150 per week (application form in the travel documents)

Notes

Program and details are subject to change due to nautical and meteorological reasons (this is no reason for a free cancellation).

Dietary requirements (i.e: lactose free or gluten free) possible upon request and for a surcharge. Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure.

Number of participants

Minimum of 50 people

Accommodation

Bike & Barge MS Serena

Experience on this bicycle- and shiptour the Netherlandth northsea, Watten- and Ijsselmeer. On the MS Serena you pass the nights on the Netherlandth waters.

Bike & Barge MS Serena

A comfortable river boat with nice saloon, bar and restaurant (air-conditioned). Partly roofed sun deck with seats and storage for bikes. Length 90 m, breadth 9,90 m, maximum space for 99 guests, Dutch flag and captaincy. 33 cabins on main deck and 18 cabins on promenade deck. The twin-bedded cabins on both decks are equipped with two separate beds and have a size of 8 – 9 sqm. The two junior suites on the main deck are equipped with a queen-size bed (grand lit, 1, 40 x 2 m) and have a size of 12 sqm. All cabins are equipped with shower/toilet, ventilation system, TV and a window which can be opened.

We had fun on this trip through Northern Holland. We were lucky to have had only one day of rain and wind which was a pleasant surprise. We saw lots of tulips and windmills and enjoyed the clearly marked bike routes. This is a good trip for people of all ages especially if they could speak German. We were with only two other people who could speak English well enough to have an actual conversation. Even though there was a bit of a language barrier, the other folks on our tour were kind and the hotel staff was excellent.

AngelikaSpindleranswered:

Thanks for your kind feedback, Mrs. Van Wieringen! Hope to have you also next year on one of our tours!